How to Order Wine at a Restaurant

Ordering wine in a restaurant shouldn’t be a stressed-out showdown. Here are five ways to make nice with the sommelier—and get the perfect bottle every time:

TO START…

DECIDE WHAT’S FOR DINNER

Food and wine do things to each other when paired together. Acid in wine breaks down fat; salt exaggerates a wine’s bitterness. Figure out what you’re eating first, then talk to the sommelier—it’ll help her make an informed recommendation.

FOCUS

Now look for discernible “themes” on the list. Are there dozens of Burgundies and just three Italian bottles? Play to its strengths. The rest is clutter.

TALK PRICE

This isn’t a job interview: Get the money question out of the way. Name your price, or discreetly point to a figure and say, “I’d like something in this range.”

SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE

You don’t need a PhD in wine vocabulary. Just consider the basic building blocks of wine and how they apply to your choice:

Weight

Do you want something “light-bodied and crisp,” “full-bodied and rich,” or somewhere in between?